The Community

By Jacob Klop

For generations, the Community has thrived within a complex cave system, sheltered from a blight that has infected the rest of the world. Despite the seeming perfection of their society, its people want nothing more than to return to the Outside, and so, every ten years, a Hope is chosen to venture forth and discover whether it is now safe for them to emerge from their rocky home. The Hope has never returned.​

Generations of Fathers and Mothers have always guided the Community, and the people are completely devoted to them and their society, but after Bastion's dad is chosen, he questions whether Father is truly the benevolent leader the rest of the Community believes. His lack of faith leads him on a path of self discovery and redemption, but he loses sight of those closest to him. Through his ignorance he sets the Community on a path that teeters between salvation and destruction.

Sometimes, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacob Klop
• Release date: May 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393983316

Jacob Klop

Jacob Klop was born in Montreal, but now lives just outside Toronto, Canada with his wife, two kids and a fat Maine coon. He tends to think of his best story ideas while abed, but sadly, can't write in his sleep or he would spend his waking hours watching hockey, reading books, and playing video games. When the writing bug bites all the other interests in his life do tend to get neglected. You'll find him typing away in front of the computer on most nights.

Book preview

Chapter 1 – The Lesson

Bastion’s bare feet slapped on the rock floor as he bolted down the tunnel. The delighted cries of children echoed off the walls as they searched for places to hide. Bastion didn’t shout like the other children. He took the game seriously and intended to win. He veered down a little used side tunnel and slowed to a steady walk. The voices of the other children faded into the distance. None of them would venture this far from the Community.

It was completely dark in the tunnel, but after living underground for his entire life Bastion didn’t need much light. He held a small glowbug in front of him as he walked along the narrow passage, his arms brushing against the smooth walls. The path sloped downward and he ran his free hand along the rock as he descended. Bastion liked the feel of the stone; it was solid and comforting. As he walked, he thought about their game. His friends played for the joy of companionship and camaraderie, but Bastion wasn’t like them. He tried to take it easy, to laugh and joke around, but whenever any type of competition began his smile faded and he gritted his teeth. His father told him the intensity would fade as he grew older, but Bastion wasn’t convinced.

The passage ended in a small, round cavern. The ceiling was rough with thin stalactites pointing down toward him, as if in accusation. Bastion strode to the middle of the cave and lay flat on his back, tucking the glowbug under his shirt. It was completely dark. He imagined he was looking straight up into nothing. That he was far away from the Community, away from the caves. Was this what if felt like to be Outside? He could soar in any direction and there would be no walls to stop him. He shivered. It was both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. What was it that made him come here and think about the Outside world? Bastion couldn’t say, but he knew better than to tell anyone else.

WHEN HE RETURNED TO the Community his friends gathered around and called out in exaggerated cries of frustration.

You won again, Bastion.

It’s not fair, you must be cheating.

Come on, tell us where you go.

Bastion, a little annoyed at the pestering answered I only went where you dare not...

That quieted them down as they let their imaginations run wild. In the caves, there were many dangerous places that all of them had been told to never explore. Behind the great waterfall where one small slip and you could be sucked into an unforgiving current and dragged down to the bottom of a cold, underground lake. Or the steam chamber where only a few minutes would leave you gasping for air. There were enormous, twisting labyrinths and slick ledges with one hundred foot drops onto razor sharp rocks. The possibilities were frightening. His friends were about to start a new round of questions when an old man with a sharp nose and crooked back approached the group. He wore dark brown robes and was accompanied by two others in similar robes.

The kids grew solemn and stood straight. Father was their respected leader and even children knew to be still when he was near.

I would like to tell you an ancient story from our history Father began simply.

THERE ONCE WAS A CHILD, well, let’s not say child. He was a youth, and very nearly an adult. He had great thick arms like rock columns. His mind was sharp and quick, and he was loved by the entire Community. They say he could swim in pools with the worst currents and not be dragged under, that he could wrestle three men at the same time, and he could do calculations in his head up to the seventh sign. His name was Strom. One day, the Community realized they were running low on flint. It was decided that Strom would be the most suited to fetch the flint. Of course, Strom agreed to go, and immediately set forth.

On his way there, Strom started feeling that this was a demeaning task for someone of his superior skills. The flint was near to the Outside, but other than that it was a simple chore. He decided it would be more important for him to venture to the most dangerous part of the caves and gather some of the rare, burning oiel. And so, Strom journeyed for three days; sometimes balancing on ledges as thin as the width of your hand; sometimes climbing walls more easily than the most agile spider. The journey would have been impossible for nearly anyone in the Community, but to Strom it was as easy as snapping his fingers. When Strom returned triumphantly to the Community, the people stared at him.

Look, he cried, I have brought a great treasure of oiel and he showed them the large barrel he carried under his thick arm.

He was greeted with silence and accusing glares.

Well, this is a fine welcome, he pouted, but Strom grew nervous. Usually the Community gathered around him with questions about his feats and paid all manner of attention to his accomplishments."

The Father of the Community approached Strom. Your younger brother is dead.

What! Impossible, Strom denied vehemently. He was healthy and strong when I left.

He certainly was, replied Father, and when you didn’t return, we needed someone else to get the flint. Your brother was chosen. During his journey, he was attacked by a cave bear. He managed to make it back to camp with the flint, but the wounds were mortal and he died shortly after returning.

No, Strom buried his head in his hands. He seemed to shrink in upon himself and he was overcome with grief and regret. He realized his pride and arrogance were the cause of his brother’s death and vowed to never behave in such a self-important manner ever again. No longer was he the mighty, special youth that could kill a cave bear with his bare hands, but rather, he was one of them. He was a member of the Community.

FATHER MARKED EACH of them with a piercing stare, as if he were sorting them into categories. Remember, it is important that you do not raise yourself up or any other above yourselves, for we are all a part of the Community together. His gaze lingered on Bastion for what seemed an eternity before Father turned and walked away with his companions.

The children were often taught the importance of equity and they sensed they had been reprimanded. They looked accusingly at Bastion.

What, I didn’t do anything. I was just kidding around. Let’s play something else, Bastion suggested.

The anticipation of another game was enough to scatter the encounter with Father from their thoughts. Bastion looked around. They were in the Circle, the center cavern from which all of the Community was connected. It was larger than any of the other caves. The ceiling could only be seen when the luminus was set at its brightest level. The luminus was a giant silver orb high in the middle of the cavern. There were metal pipes and wires connected at various angles into the orb. A control machine with many switches and gauges on its display panel was located to one side. Bastion understood the pipes were used to transfer oiel and boiling water into tubes inside of the orb. From there, it was converted into energy and sent along wires throughout the Community. Bastion didn’t understand how light could travel inside a wire, and he probably never would, unless he grew up to be an illuminer or an engineer.

There were always at least two illuminers present in the Circle. They monitored the gauges on the control panel and ensured the right amount of boiled water and oiel was fed into the machine, depending on how much light the Community needed. Hundreds of years ago an illuminer had misjudged the correct amount of oiel. There was a great explosion that killed many within the Community. Bastion examined the walls. He could still see the ancient scorch marks stretching from the floor to the ceiling, permanently staining the grey stone.

Bastion glanced back to his friends. What were they in the mood to do? Chip and Fleck were identical twin brothers. Not only did they look alike, they thought the same as well. Their father was a miner and they had inherited the same love for rocks. Bastion was sure they would be miners as well. Ruby was a year older than the twins, but she acted younger. Bastion suspected she would rather be with even younger kids, but was too embarrassed to admit it. The last of the group was Jade. Twelve years old, just like Bastion. She could only be described as unpredictable, which was what Bastion both liked and disliked about her. All of them had pale skin and dark eyes with enlarged pupils, an effect of living underground their entire lives.

They looked tired. They probably didn’t want to do any more running, and Bastion didn’t feel like hiding any more. Swimming would be fun.

How ‘bout if we go swimming? There’s always interesting rocks at the bottom of the lake, Bastion dropped the idea, tempting the twins. He knew the girls didn’t really enjoy the water, but Chip and Fleck was all he needed.

The twins immediately agreed and the girls winced. In the Community, the majority always ruled.

Excellent, time to make like fishes. Bastion declared.

There were many underground lakes nearby, but everyone knew the best one was the Source. They took the tunnel on the right. Small twinkling lights powered by the luminus lit the well-used tunnel. As they walked, the other children periodically ran their hands along the walls. Huh. It wasn’t just him that enjoyed the feeling of the smooth stone. They passed many side passages, some old and crumbling, others smooth and well maintained. There wasn’t a single person in the Community who knew where they all went, but everyone knew the way to the Source.

They arrived at a long, rectangular cavern. The near end of the cavern sloped down to a clear, fresh water lake that stretched into the distance. The far end could barely be seen from the entrance. Small rivulets of water leaked down from cracks in the wall and trickled into the lake. A large metal pipe sucked water from the lake and sent it throughout the Community. The machinery was currently active and emitted a dull, chugging noise as the liquid was drawn away. Centuries ago, gatherers brought water to the Community using metal buckets. Fortunately for them, that was a chore of the past.

Hello, Bastion shouted, the giants have arrived! His small voice echoed back sounding nothing like a giant whatsoever. He shrugged and ran to the water, sliding the last few feet on the slick stone. The other children followed close behind. The depth increased rapidly after they entered, but they were all strong swimmers. Bastion floated on his back. He heard the others splashing each other and shouting, but Bastion maneuvered away, kicking toward the middle of the lake. He dipped his ears in the water and the sounds of his friends and the water distribution system became muffled. It was like he was the lord of a realm where noise became distorted and light reflected back in strange, wavering patterns.

Bastion filled his mouth with water and gurgled "underwater creatures, I have conquered your domain, if you continue to defy me, I will destroy you."

His friends seemed amused at the speech and swam closer.

Bastion enjoyed the audience and continued. "I see we have some who would defy our superiority. It is time for you to feel the wrath of the overlander." With that pronouncement, Bastion laid about him with great swings of his arms. He slapped down hard on the water, his palms stretched out flat, the loud smacking noise echoed around the cavern.

"Ah, but you have not crushed all of us." It was Jade. She silently glided behind Bastion and grabbed hold of him around his head. Chip and Fleck swept in as well, each of them grabbed one of his legs. Ruby began splashing water into his face. Bastion helplessly treaded water with his hands. He couldn’t grab his tormentors and stay afloat at the same time. He tried pulling his legs free, but Chip and Fleck just tightened their grips.

Do you yield overlander? Jade challenged.

Bastion felt his competitive instinct rise and prepared for a massive burst of effort to free himself when a voice interrupted them.

Yes, oh powerful overlander, do you yield? It was Rock, one of the teenagers in the Community. He was a squat, powerfully built boy, who seemed to enjoy nothing more than tormenting Bastion and his friends. He was accompanied by Gloom and Ash. Both of them were tall, thin boys with long greasy hair hanging over their eyes. Bastion thought of them as Rock’s lieutenants.

Bastion’s friends immediately set him free and watched Rock warily.

Let’s just go Ruby whispered.

Bastion ignored her. Why did these jerks always come along and ruin their fun? It wasn’t fair. Bastion sucked some water into his mouth and gurgled "I did consider yielding to the great Water Queen, and he indicated a hand toward Jade, but I could never surrender to the Toad King." And Bastion spat the water out in Rock’s direction.

Rock’s gaze hardened and he slowly stripped down to his breeches. I see you want to play with some new friends. He entered the lake, Gloom and Ash following on either side. Tell me now, which of you yields to your superior. Rock swept his hand toward himself in a grandiose manner.

I yield, Ruby declared without hesitation.

Then you may leave, Rock pointed to the exit with his finger. Who else desires my mercy? He swam closer.

Me too

And me, the twins spoke in quick succession and followed Ruby away.

Come on Bastion, Jade pleaded, just give up. Bastion wasn’t listening. He watched Rock and his lieutenant’s approach. He knew he wasn’t as strong as they were, so he couldn’t fight them, but he refused to surrender. The question was, how could he get out of the lake without giving in? They were now nearly within striking distance of Bastion and Jade.

I yield, Jade cried out. Sorry Bastion, she apologized, as Rock inclined his head, giving Jade permission to swim away.

What game shall we play, Rock wondered aloud, stroking his chin with one hand.

"How about splash the Bastion," suggested Ash, flicking his wet, greasy hair from his eyes with a thin hand.

"Or maybe dunk the Bastion" proposed Gloom.

Rock looked maliciously at Bastion, "I think I would prefer drown the Bastion," and he dove towards one of Bastion’s legs. Bastion propelled himself backwards as Rock’s fingers slid just short of his foot. Ash and Gloom continued to circle to either side of Bastion. They grinned as they glided ever closer towards him. Bastion couldn’t get around them, and Rock was directly in front of him. If he kept backing up, eventually they would trap him against the far wall. There was only one option. Bastion dove straight down. He swam with powerful strokes to the depths of the lake. It was dark. The dim cavern lights didn’t reach this deep into the water. Bastion looked up and saw nothing but murky shadows. He could only guess at what Rock and his lieutenants were doing.

They probably thought he would head for the exit, so Bastion had a different idea. Behind the great pipe that sucked water from the lake was a small corner that was completely hidden in darkness. If Bastion could get to that side of the cave and sneak out of the water he might be able to slip out along the right wall of the cavern, leaving his tormentors behind. It was his only idea, and he couldn’t hold his breath much longer. He kicked off in the direction of the pipe, staying as deep as possible to avoid their sight. The chugging noise of the water distribution system grew louder and his chest began hurting. It was now or never. He angled upward, stroking toward the surface. It was dark above him. Good. There was no way they would find him here. He burst out, gasping for breath.

An iron grip snapped onto his neck. Look what I caught cried Rock triumphantly. You didn’t think you were the only one that knew about this hiding place, did you.

Ash and Gloom laughed and swam toward them from the other side of the lake.

Rock pulled Bastion close to the great pipe. A large filter covered the opening, so there was no danger of being pulled inside, but it was uncomfortable feeling the pull of the water against his skin. I think perhaps now you would like to yield to your superior, Rock suggested with a nasty grin.

Bastion knew that even after his stubborn refusal to submit earlier, Rock would probably let him go if he gave up now, but seeing the smug face leering down gave rise to a smoldering rage.

Surrender to the Toad King, never! Bastion summoned his remaining strength and boxed Rock in the ear.

Rock’s grip loosened for a moment, but then it snapped back in place before Bastion could wriggle free. The expression on his face changed. It switched from a leering, teasing bully, to one of serenity. Outwardly, he seemed completely calm, but there was something menacing lurking beneath the surface. Bastion realized he had pushed Rock into a whole different personality, maybe one that was dangerous.

Grab his legs, Rock commanded Ash and Gloom. They obediently took hold of Bastion’s feet. Without hesitation, Rock pushed Bastion’s head underwater. The pipe sucked his cheek against its grill. Bastion tried to pull himself up by holding on to the edges of the pipe, but Rock held him firmly in place.

After what seemed an eternity, but was probably only a few seconds, Rock let him up for a breath. "While you were underwater the three of us decided we wanted to play drown the Bastion." The hands holding his feet pulled down and Rock thrust Bastion’s head underwater. The pipe pulled against his face in a tight embrace. Bastion increased his struggles to escape with renewed energy, but it was hopeless. Rock was too strong. He gulped a mouthful of water and began choking. His arms felt feeble and white lights sparked in front of him. Was this it? Was this how he was going to die?

Rock’s hold of him suddenly loosened and Bastion clawed his way to the surface. He emerged, coughing and hacking water into the lake.

It was just a game, Rock pleaded.

Yeah, he’s fine, added Ash.

Father’s two assistants regarded Rock with their arms folded. Bastion recalled their names; Brother Grey and Brother Black. Brother Grey was actually Ash’s father. They both had the same lanky build and stringy hair.

Jade stood behind them. She must have brought help. Bastion smiled weakly up at her.

It does not look like he is fine, Brother Black declared. What sort of game were you playing?

"Well, um, first we played a sort of leadership game, which everyone enjoyed, except for Bastion, and then we played a game called dunk the Bastion," Rock summarized for the adults.

We were having fun? Isn’t that right Bastion? Rock directed his gaze at Bastion. He had left out much of the truth, but Bastion knew the adults would never believe Rock was actually trying to drown him. And even if they did, he wanted to get even on his own terms.

Yeah, I guess that’s right. Bastion nodded, grimly.

Brother Black looked dubiously at Bastion and then glared at the other boys. Well, whatever you were doing, if I am summoned to help with these silly games any more you are all going to be severely punished. Is that clear?

Yes sir, they chorused.

Oh, I was curious about one thing, Brother Grey interjected. You say that Bastion was not playing the leadership game properly, Rock.

No sir, his friends all were, but he was on his own. Isn’t that right Bastion?

Bastion didn’t respond.

Bastion, it seems you have not learned the evils of the individual from Father’s story earlier today, lectured Brother Grey. You appear to have received a different sort of lesson here. Perhaps in the future you will be more receptive towards advice from your elders. Brother Grey nodded toward his son and strode from the Source. Brother Black followed with a thoughtful look on his face.

Rock smugly trotted past Bastion, Ash and Gloom at his heels. Bastion gritted his teeth. He had never felt so helpless. Even when he was innocent, he wound up getting a lecture.

Jade patted him on the shoulder. Sorry I left Bastion. I had to get help. You’ve got to keep away from them, especially Rock. He could seriously hurt you.

Bastion wanted to shout at Jade, to tell her that he didn’t do anything wrong and it should be Rock that was told to leave Bastion alone, but the moment passed. Yelling at Jade would just make him look childish. He sighed I know. I just can’t seem to help myself, but I won’t give in to those bullies and I’m not going to run away from them either.

As he walked home, the day’s events flashed through his mind. It was terrifying when Rock had held him underwater. He truly believed he was going to drown, but even after the near death experience, it was rage that most consumed his thoughts. He gritted his teeth. One day he would get his revenge. Rock would pay.

Chapter 2 – The Five Tenets

Brand loved being a gatherer for the Community. Essentially, a gatherer provided for the Community, often food, but it could be nearly anything. One time he was sent to find web-spinners, as the stock of silk had grown low. Brand smiled as he recalled the enormous nest of baby web-spinners he discovered. It was one of the largest nests ever found and he was praised by many in the Community upon his triumphant return. It was memories like these that convinced him being a gatherer was his true calling.

Today, he was fishing, and not having any luck. It was odd, some days there were plenty of fish and other days they just seemed to be somewhere else. One would think that the fish would find a favorite place and stay there, but no, they moved around a lot. He stared at the empty net placed across the stream, hoping a swarm of wriggling fish would suddenly appear, entangling themselves in the lines, but the water remained still.

Hmm, perhaps he would try swimming upstream to a small secluded pool he knew of. Sometimes fish gathered at the bottom. He grabbed a